Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on March 10, 2017; the next update will be made on March
17. Phone your reports to 520-629-0510 X 3, or email to rarebirdalert AT
tucsonaudubon.org.
SEVERAL IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS follow the sightings, including information
on temporary closures and rules for access to other important birding
areas. Abbreviation "m.ob." =3D multiple observers. An asterisk (*)
preceding a species name in the list indicates that it merits careful, full
documentation. A pound sign (#) indicates that brief corroborating details
are warranted. Documentation and photos of review species may be submitted
at http://www.azfo.org/gallery/1main/whatIsABC.html.
Where directions are not given, they can be found in the most recent
edition of Tucson Audubon's "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona". More
information including updates may be found here:
http://tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/publications/fbi.html. For additional
sightings in the region, please see the The Arizona-New Mexico Birding
ListServ (https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/arc/aznmbirds).
For more information about Tucson Audubon field trips, lectures and
educational opportunities, please see www.tucsonaudubon.org.
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT INCLUDE:
#Eurasian Wigeon
#Greater Scaup
#"Harlan's" Red-tailed Hawk
#Ruddy Ground-Dove
*TUFTED FLYCATCHER
#Eastern Phoebe
#Winter Wren
#Black-capped Gnatcatcher
#Rufous-backed Robin
#Gray Catbird
#Brown Thrasher
#Louisiana Waterthrush
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER
#Clay-colored Sparrow
#"Red" Fox Sparrow
*STREAK-BACKED ORIOLE
*PURPLE FINCH
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
In upper Ramsey Canyon, a *TUFTED FLYCATCHER was reported on 3/10 (Theresa
Lawson) in the same general area they have been reported the last two
summers. The birds have been seen about 2 miles up the Hamburg Trail from
the Ramsey Canyon Preserve Visitor Center, about 1/3 mile past the junction
with the Brown Canyon Trail. This is an occasionally steep 4 mile round
trip hike at 6,000 ft elevation to reach this location; take plenty of
water (several quarts) and be prepared for very hot dry days or sudden
monsoon storm activity. The map here shows the location:
https://goo.gl/aMh1ke Ramsey Canyon Preserve is closed Tuesdays and
Wednesdays.
At the San Pedro House, a #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH continued along the San
Pedro River on 3/10 (John Broz); last year one frequented the area between
trail markers #7 and #8. A #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was reported on 3/8 (fide
John Broz) between posts #4 and #5.
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX)
A *STREAK-BACKED ORIOLE continued to be seen daily (though sporadically) at
the Foothills Road (aka Rodrigues yard) feeders as of 3/10 (Susan Ford).
A #GRAY CATBIRD continued in Portal on 3/10 (Susan Ford) at Cave Creek
Ranch.
A #BROWN THRASHER continued along Prickly Pear Ln north of the Portal Store
on 3/5 (Rick Plage).
A #"RED" FOX SPARROW continued in Whitetail Canyon on 3/5 (Rick Taylor).
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
In Florida Canyon (annotated map: http://goo.gl/AAzD6), *RUFOUS-CAPPED
WARBLERS continued on 3/10 (m.ob.) in the West Fork past the dam.
Directions: About 400 yards from parking lot is a metal gate, and just past
the gate the canyon forks. The main trail follows the East Fork, but most
sightings have been in the West Fork to the right. About 125 yards up the
rough trail in the West Fork is a large water tank and a low dam. The oak
grove is about 1/3 mile past the dam. Note: The trail for the West Fork can
be difficult to find, and is steep and rough in places. If you see the sign
with distances to Florida Saddle, Madera Canyon, etc you've missed the
turn. It is not necessary, recommended or permissible to enter the research
station to see these birds. #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued in Florida
Canyon this week (m.ob.); they've been seen near the Florida Canyon parking
area and a short distance up the trail.
In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP), #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS
continued along Proctor Rd on 3/10 (m.ob.).
TUCSON area
An apparent *PURPLE FINCH was photographed in Rose Canyon on Mt Lemmon on
3/9 (Marty Herde); 3 Cassin's Finches were reported (and two photographed)
on 3/4 (Bill Higgins).
At Sam Lena Park a #GREATER SCAUP continued with several Lesser Scaup in
the main pond on 3/7 (Jake Mohlmann).
WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
A male #EURASIAN WIGEON continued at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf
Course on 3/5 (Richard Fray).
PATAGONIA
At Patagonia Lake (annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs), #GREATER SCAUP
continued this week (m.ob.). A #GREEN KINGFISHER, #WINTER WREN, and
#BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS all continued along the Birding Trail at the
east end of the lake this week (m.ob.). observers are encouraged to note or
record the calls of the wren to help separate this from the very similar
Pacific Wren.
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
A #"HARLAN=E2=80=99S" RED-TAILED HAWK was reported again near the intersect=
ion of
Green Reservoir Rd and Curry Rd on 3/6 (m.ob.).
BENSON area
An #EASTERN PHOEBE was photographed at the corner of Golden Bell Rd &
Miller Ln in St. David on 3/6 (Arlene Ripley).
NOGALES area
Two #RUDDY GROUND-DOVES continued along the De Anza Trail in Rio Rico about
200-300 yards southeast of the Guy Tobin Trailhead on 3/7 (Bill Lisowsky);
one was seen 3/10 (m.ob.). A bright blue plastic water bottle and an old
refrigerator are good landmarks for the spot.
A pair of #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued south of the confluence of
California Gulch and Warsaw Canyon on 3/7 (m.ob.). Annotated map:
http://goo.gl/wSr0mi
TUBAC area (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0)
A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was reported along the de Anza Trail south of Clark
Crossing Rd on 3/7 (Will Russell).
After a two-week absence a #BROWN THRASHER was photographed again at Santa
Gertrudis Lane on 3/9 (Bill Lisowsky) across from #12. Remember to park
along the frontage road and walk in.
Two #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued in Rock Corral Canyon on 3/8 (Tim
Helentjaris) west of Santa Gertrudis Lane. A high clearance, four-wheel
drive vehicle is recommended; the birds were all within the first mile up
canyon from the corral.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The revised 8th edition of Tucson Audubon's Finding Birds in Southeast
Arizona is available here: http://www.tucsonaudubon
.org/what-we-do/publications/fbi.html and updates to the 8th edition can be
found here: http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/publications/
431-fbiaddendum8th.html
TUCSON - Mosquito control operations are scheduled at Sweetwater Wetlands
from 6:30-8:30am on Mondays during the warmer months (usually March -
November). The gate will open when operations are finished. Due to
long-term construction, Roger Road WRF is closed. See our Sweetwater page (
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/visit/planning/locations/212.html)
or http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/water/sweetwater for details.
The Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department security
procedures are subject to change any time. Please see the "bird watching"
link on this page for important information regarding access:
http://webcms.pima.gov/government/wastewaterreclamation/
EL RIO OPEN SPACE PRESERVE/COACHLINE GRAVEL PIT - park in the paved lot in
the southwest corner or along the south edge near the berm. Construction
may hinder access for the next few months. Annotated map:
http://goo.gl/5vIQSb
RAMSEY CANYON - Ramsey Canyon Preserve is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
ASH CANYON B&B: open dawn to dusk EXCEPT Wednesday, when open noon to dusk.
Parking is limited; please carpool whenever possible. No need to call ahead=
.
BENSON - the Benson Birding Trail is no longer accessible as the property
is under new ownership.
FORT HUACHUCA - access requirements are posted on its official webpage at
http://www.huachuca.army.mil/pages/des/accesscontrol.html. The Visitor
Control Center is located at the Van Deman Gate on Hwy 90. The fort is an
active military installation and will suspend your driving privileges on
Post for 30 days on your first offense for talking or using a cell phone
while driving. You MUST use a hands free device. Current entry requirements
(subject to change without notice): US citizens must pass a background
check and should be prepared to show photo ID for everyone in the vehicle
at the entrance, and possibly your vehicle registration and insurance as
well. Foreign nationals must be accompanied by an approved military escort;
contact the base (520.533.7111), or possibly the Sierra Vista Visitor's
Bureau (520.417.6960) well in advance. ACCESS NOTE: apparently some states
driver's licenses do not meet federal requirements for base entry (KY, ME,
MT, PA, SC, MN, MO, and WA); see https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs or
http://huachuca-www.army.mil/pages/des/visitoraccess.html for details.
SANTA CRUZ FLATS: Management at the Evergreen Turf Sod Farm has asked
birders not to drive into the property (i.e., the 2750 road); birding from
perimeter roads (i.e., Tweedy or Pretzer) is still fine.
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valley is
off limits to birders due to the thoughtless actions of a few birders. DO
NOT ENTER THE PROPERTY. A sign has been posted previously stating that
"stopping within 0.25 mile of the corral is prohibited."
AVRA VALLEY WRF: Gates open 7AM and close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not linger,
you will be locked inside).
GREEN VALLEY WRF: under construction, access uncertain. When open, use the
call box at the gate, sign in and out at the office, and stay away from
buildings and construction equipment.
ROGER ROAD WRF: Closed.
CORONA DE TUCSON WRF: Closed.
NOGALES STP: Closed.
Good birding!
Andrew Core
SEAZ RBA Compiler - Tucson, AZ
http://tucsonaudubon.org/rba.html
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